Terrace Plaza Hotel

Terrace Plaza Hotel is an 18-story tower in the International Style featuring a distinctive brick exterior in downtown Cincinnati. The lower floors house retail spaces while hotel rooms occupy the upper levels, connected by a separate elevator system.

Built in 1948, this was the first hotel project by the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It ranks among the earliest high-rises constructed in the United States after World War II.

The name comes from the rooftop terrace where guests gathered, a feature that shaped how the building functioned as a social hub. This design choice reflected the era's emphasis on public spaces within hotels.

Hotel rooms are accessed through dedicated elevators beginning at the eighth floor, creating a separation between retail and hotel areas. Plan your entry point carefully since each section has its own access route.

This building introduced self-operated elevators, allowing guests to control their own rides without an elevator operator. Individual thermostats in every room gave occupants unprecedented control over temperature and comfort.